Ukraine repels Russian forces and limits gas supply to Europe, Reuters reports

By Pavel Polityuk and Jonathan Landay

KYIV/VILKHIVKA, Ukraine – Ukrainian forces have reported significant battlefield gains on Wednesday during a counteroffensive that could indicate a shift in the war’s momentum. Concurrently, Kyiv has halted gas supplies along a route that passes through Russian-held territory, raising concerns about a potential energy crisis in Europe.

As of Wednesday morning, Ukrainian troops were reportedly just a few kilometers from the Russian border after making advances north and east of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. These developments come after Russian forces had been positioned on the outskirts of Kharkiv, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the border.

This latest offensive appears to be the most rapid Ukraine has undertaken since it pushed Russian troops away from Kyiv and the northern regions of the country in early April. If these advances continue, they may threaten supply lines vital to Russia’s main forces and could potentially bring logistics targets within Russia itself within the reach of Ukrainian artillery.

In the village of Vilkhivka, located east of Kharkiv and severely damaged by the conflict, the sounds of constant artillery fire and rocket launches echoed from the front lines. Local resident Andrii Korkin, who went to check on his parents’ home, expressed his disillusionment, stating, "I want nothing to do any more with the world of the Russian Federation." Although Ukrainian forces had recaptured the village weeks earlier, the front lines had only recently moved far enough away to allow safe return.

Evidence of the battle’s toll was stark, with the decomposing body of a Russian soldier lying outside a bombed school that had previously served as an operations center for his unit.

On Wednesday evening, Ukraine’s military reported that they had taken control of Pytomnyk, a village situated on the main road leading north from Kharkiv and roughly halfway to the Russian border. Conversely, the governor of Belgorod, the Russian region adjacent to Ukraine, reported that a village on their side had been shelled, resulting in injuries.

In addition, Ukrainian forces seem to have secured Rubizhne, located along the banks of the Donets River. "It is burned out, just like all Russian tanks," a Ukrainian soldier remarked near the remains of a destroyed Russian tank, highlighting the effectiveness of Ukrainian anti-tank weaponry.

Kyiv has been cautious about revealing specifics regarding its progress in the Kharkiv area. Brigadier General Oleksiy Hromov, Deputy Chief of Ukraine’s General Staff, affirmed that Ukrainian forces were achieving successes in pushing back enemy forces and liberating populated areas.

In a significant development, Ukraine’s decision to cut off Russian gas supplies via territories controlled by Russian-backed separatists marked the first time the ongoing conflict has directly impacted gas shipments to Europe. The halt in gas flow from Russia’s Gazprom through Ukraine has resulted in a 25 percent drop in shipments, following allegations that Russian-backed groups were siphoning the supplies.

If this supply reduction continues, it will represent the most direct effect on European energy markets from what the Kremlin describes as a "special military operation" aimed at demilitarizing a perceived threat from Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have consistently disputed this narrative, emphasizing the humanitarian crises and civilian casualties resulting from what they characterize as an aggressive war of conquest.

On another front, Russia has reportedly imposed sanctions on a Polish part-owner of the Yamal-Europe pipeline, which transports a significant volume of gas from Russia to Europe, as well as on sections of a German subsidiary of Gazprom. The implications of these actions remain unclear.

In southern Ukraine, areas captured by Russian forces are under threat of a staged referendum on independence or annexation, efforts to solidify their control. The Kremlin stated that decisions on integration into Russia would depend on the wishes of the local populace and must have a clear legal basis.

Moreover, Russian forces have continued their assault on the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, the last stronghold of Ukrainian defenders in a city now largely under Russian control following a protracted siege. The Azov Regiment, entrenched in the facility, reported ongoing bombings and attempts by Russian troops to storm their positions. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk indicated that negotiations are underway to exchange Russian prisoners for the wounded defenders at Azovstal.

Petro Andryushchenko, an aide to Mariupol’s mayor, characterized the situation there as "hell on earth." Reports suggest that tens of thousands may have been killed in the city, with around 150,000 to 170,000 of its original 400,000 residents still attempting to survive amid the destruction.

The mayor of Mariupol issued a stark warning: Without the restoration of medical services and repair of water systems, local epidemics could emerge, especially among the elderly and vulnerable populations, who risk escalating mortality rates without proper care.